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Joined: Feb 2017
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Originally Posted By: Pat Williamson
My cc and blues have been in the pond for a year and a half and I have never seen any come to feed. One pound BG and LMB but no catfish on the surface



You're missing out! They have a funny way of eating. They come right up nearly to my feet and suck up several pellets at a time, then make a big splash. Some of them are more sneaky by just barely poking though the FA and then back under they go



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The channel catfish stocked nine weeks ago in my new 0.3 acre pond have still not shown up at the feeding ring. Over that time, I have only found three dead CC, and that was the day after stocking. There should be about 58 six to eight inch CC in the pond somewhere. The pond is still almost full and fairly clear after spilling over a little last week. Today I decided to fish for them, no bites. All that comes to the feeder ring are hordes of FHM, maybe a few very small sunfish too.

Should I keep throwing a couple of handfuls in the feed ring every evening, or am I just wasting feed on FHM?

It seems if they (CC) all died, more would have floated up. Out of probably 1,000 FHM I stocked, I have found maybe 50 dead over the nine weeks. I put three areas of brush cover into the pond, none are near the feed ring.

The CC in my other pond are much larger, and actively feed every evening.

Any ideas as to how to verify my CC are still there? Large minnow trap perhaps?

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Hey John,

Have you tried fishing for them by soaking a FHM under a cork? An article in the last PBM suggests that CC will choose fish over pellets when both are in abundance. Sounds like you have an abundance of easy to catch FHM.... Might be worth a try.

Bill D.

Last edited by Bill D.; 05/07/17 04:09 PM. Reason: Clarification

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I wasn't aware that 6 to 8" CC are fish eaters.

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John,

IME, Yes 6 to 8 inch CC eat small fish. I've raised them from 4 inches in aquariums on guppies and then FHM when they hit about 8 inches. They will eat what they can get in their mouth's and instinctively prefer live food....after 9 weeks yours are probably 8 to 10.

I sense your skepticism regarding 6 to 8 inch CC eating small fish and that is cool, just giving my experience. Hopefully, one of the pros will chime in with an opinion that will be helpful to you.

Good luck. Please post back what you find out with regard to the status of your CC.

Bill D.

Last edited by Bill D.; 05/08/17 06:39 AM.

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I'm no pro either but a catfish will eat a fish if it gets close to its mouth. lol Bill D says put them in an aquarium with small fish and turn the lite out and it won't be long and you will have less small fish than you had

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There seems to be a number of crawdads in the new pond already. Maybe the CC are hunting them. Think I will walk out there tonight with a light and see if there is some CC activity in the shallows.

Edit: after throwing out some food in the dark, and waiting a bit, no activity seen. If I don't see any by fall, guess I will assume them all dead and put more in.

Last edited by John F; 05/08/17 09:18 PM.
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Update:
I caught two 8-10" CC this evening near the feed ring. Used a 1/64 oz jig with barb mashed down tipped with a yellow "Gulp Alive" waxie.
They looked to be in good shape. Got a few other strikes but no hookups. I think they are hanging out under the feed ring waiting for the food to sink.

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I did not see my CC feed on the surface till the second year.

I know sinking feed is not a recomended practice on this forum, but I think with CC there is a place for it for a minority portion of the overall amount of total feed fed.


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It was floating catfish pellets. The FHM work on it for several minutes, then it begins to sink. I think the little CC are too shy to feed on top. Maybe try night feeding?

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Or hydrate it to get it to sink quicker.


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Today I caught another of my March 2017 stocked CC. Tiny jig and barbless hook dragged slowly near the bottom in about 4 FOW near the feeding ring. This was a few minutes after feeding. The pellets had already sunk. While taking the hook out with the fish still in the water, it spat out a few pellets. I now know they are eating pellets, just not on top. This specimen was about nine inches, so about 1 to 3 inches of growth, depending on stocked size.

I guess if they will hit a jig, they will eat a small FHM.

Last edited by John F; 06/07/17 08:48 PM.
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Update: Many of the March stocked CC are actively coming to the feed ring lately. They are about 11-12 inches now.

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My cc and bc have never come to the surface to feed on pellets but if I throw in shallow water they feed on sinking pellets so I presume they are eating sinking food in the deeper water. Mine are 3-5# now

Last edited by Pat Williamson; 07/08/17 12:48 PM.
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That's good eating size. Better to get some of them out soon.

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You are right John it's time to remove them. Water is so hot now so will wait till fall to harvest

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Pat,
I hope you don't lose any due to hot water. Me, I have no choice-get some out or lose them. I am trying to keep my ten or 11 albino CC, but I keep catching and releasing some of them. I fish right before sundown when the DO is highest, and a release is more successful. When I catch a "regular" CC, it goes on ice in a big chest on the pond bank. I think you would have no problems if you had an ice chest there.

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It's a flavor issue- they taste muddy when it's hot or after a rain event. We only eat them from October-about march. I've even tried to get folks to come catch some, no takers. Guess they want them cleaned .....

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Yes, they want them cleaned AND filleted AND bagged on ice. Some even want them fried too.

I have not had a flavor issue at all.

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